Multi-agent and embedded system technologies applied to improve the management of power systems

This article explores a number of improvements made on Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems which allow them to be successfully used for automated surveillance. Even telecontrol operators who have limited experience with computers were able to employ the system without any difficulties. Other advances made by taking advantage of the strongest features of embedded and multi-agent system technologies are also featured in this article. These developments have been tested in a true industrial environment. Positive results and feedback have been provided by the tests

Safety and efficacy clinical trials for SYL1001, a novel short interfering RNA for the treatment of dry eye disease

PURPOSE. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of SYL1001, a short interfering (si) RNA targeting the transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1), for the treatment of dry eye disease (DED). METHODS. This study combines a phase I and two phase II clinical trials to test different doses of SYL1001 in a total of 156 healthy subjects and patients with DED. After 10 days of treatment, the primary efficacy endpoints were the effect on (1) the scoring in the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaires, and (2) ocular tolerance evaluated by corneal fluorescein staining and conjunctival hyperemia. Secondary endpoints included the assessment of systemic and local tolerance. RESULTS. Topical administration of SYL1001 1.125% once daily produced a significant decrease in VAS scores compared with placebo from day 4 until the end of treatment (change from baseline at day 10: -1.73 ± 0.32 vs. -0.91 ± 0.34; P = 0.013). For all treatments, OSDI scores were significantly reduced compared to their respective baseline values (P < 0.01), although no significant changes were detected between groups. Conjunctival hyperemia (quantified as normal or abnormal) significantly improved after instillation of SYL1001 1.125% compared with placebo (50% vs. 20%; P < 0.05). Excellent tolerability was reported, with no differences in the rates of occurrence of adverse events between groups. CONCLUSION. These trials achieved their primary endpoints of identifying the most effective dose of SYL1001 (1.125%). SYL1001 showed a large safety margin and may provide novel therapeutic opportunity for the relief of dry eye. (ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT01438281, NCT01776658, and NCT02455999.) Eliminar seleccionadoSupported by a grant from the 2012 INNPACTO program of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation: INDREYE (Innovative solutions for the treatment and diagnosis of dry eye disease) grant number IPT-2012-0438-010000 (Madrid, Spain)

A Hybrid Intelligent Multiagent System for the Remote Control of Solar Farms

This paper describes a multiagent architecture integrated system designed to supervise infrastructures in solar farms. The system enables monitoring the environment by means of sensor networks that are in charge of collecting data. It is designed using a hybrid model composed of an inference engine and an ontology. The former makes the system intelligent, while the latter structures knowledge. We have also developed a tool to configure and use the multiagent system in a simple and intuitive way

Construction of a recycled plastic filament winder for 3D printing.

The work presented here exposes the development and design of a new machine: the recycled plastic filament winder understood as an innovative DIY tool that enables and provides new solutions for the recycling and reuse of plastic, creating customized filaments that can be used in 3D printing, for instance. It is a cost-effective and sustainable solution that helps reduce waste and environmental pollution. The construction of this machine makes possible to create 3D printing filament from discarded plastic. It can be understood as one more option among the existing solutions that, in a profitable and sustainable way, contribute to reduce waste and environmental pollution. Thus, the construction of this winder joins the set of machines that allow to extend the useful life of plastic materials, trying to prevent them from ending up in landfills or seas and oceans; in short, to reduce the amount of plastic waste that every year pollute the ecosystem and the environment. The winder works by taking plastic from disposed containers such as bottles, caps, jerry cans, etc. These containers need to be previously shredded into small plastic shavings or flakes, which are then fed into an extruder machine, where they are melted and, through the winder, this molten mass of plastic is transformed into a thread or filament that can be used in 3D printing. In addition, this winder design also gives users the opportunity to create customized filament since the color, texture and thickness of the filament can be controlled.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Simulation and Implementation of a Neural Network in a Multiagent System

This paper presents the simulation and the implementation of a model of a neural network applied to a multiagent system by using the Neuroph framework. This tool enables several tests to be carried out and verify which structure is the best structure of our neural network for a specific application. In our case, we simulated the neural network for a sun-tracking control system in a solar farm. Initial implementation shows good results in performance, thereby providing an alternative to traditional solar-tracking systems.Junta de Andalucía P08-TIC-03862 (CARISMA

Multiagent System powered by Neural Network for positioning control of solar panels: An optimization for sun tracking systems

This paper presents a model of neural network for position control of solar panels in multiagent-based control systems. This neural network is integrated within agents in order to optimize and predict the best positioning of solar panels depending on the position of the sun and other variables. The agents in this system can cooperate and coordinate to achieve a sun tracking system optimized, simple and adaptive.Junta de Andalucía P08-TIC-03862 (CARISMA

Architecture for Multiagent-Based Control Systems

This paper presents a multiagent architecture that covers the new requirements for the new control systems such as the distribution and decentralisation of system elements, the definition of communications between these elements, the fast adaptation in the control and organizational changes. The agents in this architecture can cooperate and coordinate to achieve a global goal, encapsulate the hardware interfaces and make the control system easily adapt to different requirements through configuration. Finally, the proposed architecture is applied to a control system of a solar power plant, obtaining a preliminary system that achieve the goals of simplicity, scalability, flexibility and optimization of communications system.Junta de Andalucía P08-TIC-0386

PeMMAS: A Tool for Studying the Performance of Multiagent Systems Developed in JADE

This paper describes the performance measurement for multiagent systems (PeMMAS) tool, a system designed to study and measure the performance of any multiagent system (MAS) de-veloped in JADE. The tool itself is another MAS which is deployed and coexists alongside the one being studied. This characteristic allows us to adapt PeMMAS to any scenario in which MAS de-ployment in JADE is used. PeMMAS extracts information from the target MAS regarding the use of system resources, the flight time for comprehensive messages according to agent type, as well as the processing time for actions. After processing this information, PeMMAS sends a report to the final user for subsequent analysis

Multiple intelligences in a MultiAgent System applied to telecontrol

This paper presents a control system, based on artificial intelligence technologies, that implements multiple intelligences. This system aims to support and improve automatic telecontrol of solar power plants, by either automatically triggering actuators or dynamically giving recommendations to human operators. For this purpose, the development of a MultiAgent System is combined with a variety of inference systems, such as Expert Systems, Neural Networks, and Bayesian Networks. This diversity of intelligent technologies is shown to result in an efficient way to mimic the reasoning process in human operators.Junta de Andalucía P08-TIC-0386

Validation of Cognitive Rehabilitation as a Balance Rehabilitation Strategy in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder. This disease is characterized by motor symptoms, such as bradykinesia, tremor, and rigidity. Although balance impairment is characteristic of advanced stages, it can be present with less intensity since the beginning of the disease. Approximately 60% of PD patients fall once a year and 40% recurrently. On the other hand, cognitive symptoms affect up to 20% of patients with PD in early stages and can even precede the onset of motor symptoms. There are cognitive requirements for balance and can be challenged when attention is diverted or reduced, linking a worse balance and a higher probability of falls with a slower cognitive processing speed and attentional problems. Cognitive rehabilitation of attention and processing speed can lead to an improvement in postural stability in patients with Parkinson’s. Methods: We present a parallel and controlled randomized clinical trial (RCT) to assess the impact on balance of a protocol based on cognitive rehabilitation focused on sustained attention through the NeuronUP platform (Neuronup SI, La Rioja, Spain) in patients with PD. For 4 weeks, patients in the experimental group will receive cognitive therapy three days a week while the control group will not receive any therapy. The protocol has been registered at trials.gov NCT04730466. Conclusions: Cognitive therapy efficacy on balance improvement may open the possibility of new rehabilitation strategies for prevention of falls in PD, reducing morbidity, and saving costs to the health care system.post-print1014 K